Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2018-18c
| Common name: |
Zone-tailed Hawk |
| Scientific name: | Buteo albonotatus |
| Date: | 08-06-2018 |
| Time: | 5:47pm |
| Length of time observed: | 30 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | adult |
| Sex: | ? |
| Location: | Lava Point |
| County: | Washington |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | 7,900ft |
| Distance to bird: | Closest approach was 50m |
| Optical equipment: | Nikon 10x42 |
| Weather: | sunny |
| Light Conditions: | excellent |
| Description: Size of bird: | 22in |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Large long winged buteo |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Jet black,white bands in tail |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | typical hooked raptor bill |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Shortly after I arrived at Lava point, I was looking over the view point to the
north, and noticed a dark raptor flying bellow me. It was a hawk, not a vulture
or condor as it had a black feathered head. It flew with a prominent dihedral as
it circled just above the canopy of the forest. It was jet black above and
below, except for 2 white bands on the upper and lower surface of the tail, and
gray and black barring in the underside of the flight feathers. It flew around
the edge of the point and I lost sight of it. Then a couple minutes later I
re-found it flying low over the forest edge on top of the plateau a hundred
meter to the south. It slowly circled and then flew very close to the east and
then went back over the escarpment to the north, giving excellent looks, but
difficult to photo due to trees being around me, but I did manage a few
documentation shots.It seemed to be riding the updrafts along the edge of the
cliffs. ( |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | None heard |
| Behavior: | Soaring over and around plateau escarpment |
| Habitat: | Mixed conifer forest and cliffs |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Superficially similar to a Turkey Vulture, but feathered head,yellow cere and
banding in tail and on underside of the flight feathers noted. Common Black Hawk
more similar, but they have shorter more rounded wings with thick black edges to
flight feathers, and a different more level flight, also they don't often soar
for long periods, plus they have only 1 thick white band in the tail, not the 2
that I saw. Some other dark morph Buteos could be similar, but Swainson's,
'Western' Red-tailed and Ferruginous Hawks should have a more rufous brown not
black tone(usually) and different tail pattern, dark morph Harlan's Red-tail and
Rough-legged Hawks could be blackish,but shouldn't be here in August and have
different banding pattern in tail and different method of soaring, more level
held wings. A distant Golden Eagle could also be similar, but are dark brown not
black and have dark primaries, and much longer wings in proportion, plus a
different method of soaring too. (see photos) |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Yes, I've seen many in Arizona and Mexico, 1st in Utah. I've also seen many Turkey Vultures,Common Black Hawks, Golden Eagles and dark morph Red-tailed, Ferruginous, Swainson's, and Rough-legged Hawks. |
| References consulted: | Memory |
| Description from: | From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Bryant Olsen |
| Observer's address: | 84102 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | They have been seen in this vicinity several times earlier this year |
| Date prepared: | 08-14-18 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional comments: | eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S47726525 |